About Capri Just off the coast of Naples and the Amalfi coast lies a little
island rock - a true Mediterranean gem. This is a place full of
authentic charm, wonderful food, and magnificent views. Caesar Augustus was the first to discover the charm of Capri when
he visited the island in 29 BC. So taken was he with the island's beauty
that he traded the more prosperous Ischia for it with the city of Naples. The later discovery of mythical places like the Blue Grotto (Grotta
Azzurra) has made Capri a popular destination for writers and painters.
The island is a maze of pathways, which lead to ancient towers, churches, villas and gardens. The most famous path is the cliffside Via Krupp, on the north of the island, known as 'the world's most beautiful road'. Capri has two harbours and two towns, Capri and Anacapri. The former is shaped around its pretty main square, the famous Piazzetta, whilst Anacapri is quieter, but both offer world-class restaurants and lively cafés. Read more... www.capri.com |
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Places to EatToo many wonderful places to mention all of them, but here are a few favourites: Villa Verde - 6 Vico Sella Orta, Capri (+39 081 837 7024) A few minutes' walk from Capri’s Piazzetta, a traditional Mediterranean with simple but gorgeously arranged seafood dishes, working wonders with garlic, basil and olive oil. Best enjoyed in the large garden courtyard, surrounded with foliage and Roman statues. The island's signature insalata caprese—sliced plum tomatoes with basil and fresh mozzarella – is the best here. L'Olivo
- Via Capodimote 2b, Anacapri (+39 081 978 0111) The island's only Michelin-starred restaurant, complete with loro piano cashmere to wrap up means you can eat, drink and recline in regal style as you try one of the rare vintages from the wine cellar. Tuck into creative, artfully prepared dishes such as red mullet fillet with figs. Le Grottelle - Via Arco Naturale 13c, Capri (+39 081 837 5719) Perched on an unreal cliffside setting, with a beautiful walk through little footpaths to reach it, this restaurant is a must. A local trattoria, outside under the stars and built into the rocks under bougainvillea and trees close to the Arco Naturale. And the simple, fresh food is excellent. La Capannina - 12/14 Via Le Botteghe, Capri (+39 081 837 0732) A backstreet trattoria a few steps form the Piazzetta with the freshest fish and seafood around. Fresh foods look like lavish dinner spreads such as those found in Renaissance paintings. Choose from an array of the dishes that make the most of the island's bounty—ravioli alla caprese, stuffed squid, linguini with redfish.
Torre Saracena - Via Marina Piccola, Capri Secluded in a southern cove on the Marina Piccola, the Torre Saracena has a private beach and restaurant. Traditional island cuisine with a modern touch, straightforward delicious seafood dishes and a selected wine list makes this great for a long, leisurely lunch before resuming your spot on the beach.
Da
Paolino - 11 Via Palazzo a Mare, Capri A local favorite situated in a charming lemon grove in the Palazzo a Mare area (out of the Piazetta and up the hill towards the Arco Naturale) The authentic Caprese cuisine includes superb fresh
pasta dishes, and of course, everything lemony. A lovely restaurant, great food
and friendly service. Da Gemma- Via Madre Serafina, 6
A family run restaurant which is housed in a
150-year-old stone house with amazing views of the sea and the iconic
Faraglioni.
Travelling Italy If you are taking the opportunity to discover the Campagnia area of Italy, here are some highlights to consider :
Explore Mount Vesuvius: An active volcano in the Bay of
Naples, only 9 kms (6 miles) east of Naples and a short distance from the shore. Although it is not currently erupting, it is regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Eruptions are on average every 13 years but it has been 70 years since its last activity, so an eruption is long overdue! The volcano is a national park and open to visitors. There is access by road within 200 meters of the summit and from there, a short walk to the summit. There is a spiral walkway around the mountain from the road to the crater itself.  |
Places to Swim & BeachCapri has plenty of beautiful places to swim, with many of them based around stabilimenti (restaurants that ‘own’ the surrounding swim areas, access requires payment), which means you get a sunbed, access to showers, changing rooms etc…Free beaches are nice for the relaxed dip into the sea and just great for people watching. Grotta Azzurra / Blue Grotto (Anacapri) Next to Il Riccio (where the dinner will be held) you can walk down the steps next to the bus stop to the entrance to the Grotta. The Blue Grotto is a 60-metre long and 25 metre wide opening into Capri Island, the cave has been known since the Roman times. At 5pm-ish the tourist boats stop going in - which makes it a good time to swim inside alone. Absolutely magical and very much worth doing. Faro
(Anacapri) Fontellina
(Capri) Can be reached by boat, or by a picturesque, but rocky, promenade along via Tragara, down many many steps, admiring the Faraglioni on the way. If you don’t want to walk back up you can take the boat over to the Marina Piccola and get the bus/taxi up from there. (The lido is not suitable for children). Marina
Grande (Capri)
Places to SeeMonte Solaro (Anacapri) – A fun
chairlift ride to the top (the highest point on the island) and you’ll be
rewarded incredible views. Villa San Michele (Anacapri) Viale Axel Munthe 34, 80071 Anacapri (+ 39 081 837 1401) The former home of Swedish author and humanist Axel Munthe has been turned into a museum, which hosts a number of classical Roman and Egyptian objects, a garden with many interesting Mediterranean plants, a nature reserve and summer evening concerts.
These huge
stacks are one of the iconic symbols of Capri. Walk to the end of via Tragara to Punta Tragara, and from
there you can gaze down upon them, especially magical when seen at sunset or
moonlight.
The 2000-year-old villa was rediscovered in the 18th-century. The museum covers a vast area - 7000 square metres - and houses many Roman baths. The view over the Bay of Naples is stunning. Opens at 9am daily and shuts an hour before sunset. Certosa di sa Giacomo (Capri) Via Certosa, Capri (+ 39 081 837 6218). A semi-abandoned medieval monastery set behind a lemon grove, Marina Piccola, Villa Jovis and the Gardens of Augustus. Now a museum, exhibiting many of the large Roman statues rescued from the seabed in the Blue Grotto in 1964. The walls are decorated with religious frescos and bas-reliefs. 
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